MGM+’s’ new Irish gang crime series The Westies, starring Tom Brittney and JK Simmons, premieres July 12th, with Toronto playing 1980s New York City.
The Westies is a gritty and kinetic crime drama centering on New York City’s infamously violent Irish gang of the same name. The series is set in the early 1980s when the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center on the Westies’ home turf in Hell’s Kitchen promises a financial windfall.
Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
But internal conflict between the brash younger generation and the old-school leadership threatens to set a match to this powder keg, which will sweep the Westies into the FBI’s ever-deepening investigation into the Italian mafia.
Trailer:
The Crooks:
Tom Brittney as rising Irish gangster James “Jimmy” Roarke, the leader of the younger generation of Westies.
J.K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney, the ruthless leader of The Westies who mentors Jimmy.
The Law:
Titus Welliver from Bosch as troubled NYPD officer Glenn Keenan, who grew up with the Westies crew, and is torn between loyalty to the law and love for his wayward son.
Frances Dukes as Birdie Polk, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Gambino Task Force, determined to take down Irish and Italian organized crime.
Other characters: Stanley Morgan as Mickey Flanagan, Sarah Bolger as Bridget Walsh, Hamish Allan-Headley as John Gotti, Vincent Walsh as Eddie Breen, Allen Leech as Brendan Cahill, and Hillary McCormack as Erin Malone.
Recurring cast members include Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Jeremy Walmsley, Dylan Taylor and Rohan Mead.
The Westies Season One:
Episodes: 8
Toronto filming dates: July 14 2025 – October 29 2025.
Showrunner: Chris Brancato.
Cast: Tom Brittney, J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver, Jessica Frances Dukes, Stanley Morgan, Sarah Bolger, Hamish Allan-Headley, Vincent Walsh, Allen Leech, Hillary McCormack, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Jeremy Walmsley, Dylan Taylor, Rohan Mead.
Producers: MGM+ Studios.